Portable workbench



Dec. 6, 1938. P. T. WALLGREN PORTABLE WORKBENCH Filed Feb. 13, 1936 all:

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Y /V l/E /V TOR @nu 7T Hanf/V Patented Dec. 6, 1938 PORTABLE smear OFFICE WORKBENCH PaulT. Wallgren, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 13, 1936, Serial No. 63,678

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a convertible tool chest, and particularly to a portable tool chest in combination with a supply of tools attached thereto.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved tool chest that is adapted to be used' with a table or school desk for converting the same into a temporary workbench.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool chest that can be readily closed up and transported from one place to another, and conveniently used wherever it may be desired, and it comprises a frame for supporting suitable tools for working in wood or iron as may be desired. The frame and the bench may be folded up into small space for convenient transportation, for containing the tools and any other material or objects as may be desired.

Of the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates the chest open for use and mounted on a desk or table for converting the same into a workbench; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the chest closed; Fig. 4 is a similar end elevation of a slightly modied chest; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing the chest of Fig. 4 mounted on the desk or table.

In modern equipment for public schools, it is desirable that each pupil in the manual training classes be provided with an individual workbench, but due to the great number of pupils taking this work and the cost` of such benches, not to mention lack of space for the benches, renders such an arrangement ideal but practically almost impossible. The advantages of individual benches and tools for the pupils is obvious. The work begun, if not completed during the class period, may be placed in the desk and remain undisturbed. The pupil will take more pride in having his own tools and will exercise more interest in the care of the same.

The present invention enables each pupil, in a few moments of time, to convert his desk into a workbench and vice versa.

The chest consists of a suitable board 5 which is of sufficient size and thickness for the purposes. The board when used as a bench or for converting a desk or table into a workbench is laid on such desk or table 6; or it may, if desired be laid on the oor or ground or other support. Hinged to the board is a frame or casing 'I the length and height of which are preferably about the same as the length and width of the bench 5. When closed the bench board forms one side of the casing, and is locked thereto by any suitable catch or lock 8.

Within the casing are suitable tools, such as clamped to the table top by means of the vise,

as indicated in Fig. 2. The casing is supported at right angles to the board by any suitable means, such as the jointed link I1. The operator then has a complete working bench for any ordinary purposes; he can readily reach his tools or material in the casing; and at his pleasure the casing can be closed with the tools and material inside and the outfit can be very conveniently transported by means of the handle I8.

If desired the vise I4 can be clamped to the board 5 and the outiit then used as an independent working bench. In such a case the outfit may be open as shown in Fig. 2; or if desired it may be closed. In the latter case the casing is laid on its back with the board on the upper side supported by the casing, and the outfit thus used as a working bench. If desired the board 5 may then be used as a drawing board; or if desired the vise can be clamped onto the edge I9 of the board in order to make the vise available for use,`

or in order to slant the board for drawing pur' poses.

However, if desired the casing may be formed as indicated in Fig. 4, so that when closed the drawing board 26 will be slanting, or if used with the vise clamped onto the edge of the board the vise will raise the edge above the casing so that the board 2B will be substantially horizontal.

Any suitable support may be used for the bench board, such as a school desk; and when used in connection with a school desk, the board will protect the desk from injury of all kinds. Each pupil may be supplied with a chest at a small cost and consequently, the pupils may each have a chest for converting his own desk into an individual workbench. The chest may be laid down on its back side on the pupils desk with the handle toward the pupil, if of the type shown in Fig. 4, thus converting his desk into a drawing table to which drawing or sketch paper or board may be secured with tacks or the like without injuring or marring the face of his desk. It is to be understood that the board is sufficiently heavy for any purposes for which it may be used.

I claim as my invention:

In combination, an article of furniture having a plane top surface, a tool chest having top, bottom and end walls resting on said surface, a back wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a massive front Wall having its entire inner surface in a common plane, hinged to the chest and movable to a position to constitute a closure the article of furniture for cooperating there- 10 with to form a drafting table.

PAUL T. WALLGREN. 

